Johannesburg Zoo School Group Rates & Field Trip Guide

Quick Answer

The entrance fee for school groups visiting Johannesburg Zoo on weekdays (Monday through Friday) is R52 per learner and teacher/educator. Parking for school buses (30 to 120 seaters) costs R34 per bus. This educational group rate offers a discount compared to standard adult tickets (R135) and child tickets (R81). School group bookings must be arranged at least one week in advance with the Joburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) Education Department to secure the rate and receive educational worksheets.

Johannesburg Zoo Entrance Fee Breakdown for Schools

Visitor Category	Rate (Incl. VAT)	Terms & Availability
School Group Entry (Learners & Teachers)	R52.00 per person	Weekdays only (Monday – Friday)
School Bus Parking (30–120 Seaters)	R34.00 per vehicle	Dedicated group parking area
Standard Child Ticket (3–12 years)	R81.00 per person	Weekend / Regular entry rate
Standard Adult Ticket	R135.00 per person	Weekend / Regular entry rate
School Day Guided Tour (Flat Rate)	R104.00	Add-on structured educational walk
School Evening Tour (Flat Rate)	R147.00	Add-on night-time guided excursion

What is Included in the School Group Rate?

A school excursion to the Johannesburg Zoo offers an interactive learning environment across 54 hectares housing roughly 320 species and nearly 1,900 animals.

The standard school group package includes:

• Curriculum-Aligned Worksheets: The JCPZ Education Department provides a master copy of educational worksheets that teachers can print before the trip or distribute in the classroom following the visit.
• Full Access to Exhibits: Learners can explore world-class exhibits, including the Big Five, white lions, gorillas, chimpanzees, and specialized conservation enclosures for endangered local species like the Wattle Crane and Pickersgill’s reed frog.
• Picnic Areas: Access to open lawns and shaded outdoor spaces suitable for group lunches and rest breaks.
• Living Classroom Concepts: Visual and contextual learning opportunities that align with Life Sciences, Geography, and Natural Sciences school curricula.

How to Book a School Group Visit

Booking in advance is essential to qualify for the school group tariff and ensure smooth entry on arrival.

1. Select a Date: Plan your trip for a weekday (Monday to Friday) during operational hours (08:00 to 17:30, with last entry at 16:00).
2. Contact the Education Department: Submit your booking request at least one week prior to your planned visit by emailing [email protected] or [email protected], or calling the zoo directly at 011 646 2000.
3. Provide Outing Details: State the exact number of learners, accompanying teachers, required bus parking slots, and whether you require any additional guided tours.
4. Receive Confirmation & Worksheets: Once confirmed, you will receive your booking confirmation along with the master educational worksheets for your grade level.
5. On Arrival: Buses access the entrance via Upper Park Drive / Jan Smuts Avenue in Parkview. Present your booking confirmation at the gate and pay the bus parking fee upon entry.

Optional Educational Add-Ons & Activities

To enhance the learning experience, schools can choose from several guided and specialized programmes:

• School Day Tours (R104 flat rate): Guided walking tours led by zoo educators, focusing on animal adaptation, habitats, and conservation status.
• School Evening Tours (R147 flat rate): An after-dark guided walk designed to observe nocturnal animals, predator behaviors, and night-time enclosure management.
• Ferry Tours: Guided group tours on open-air zoo ferries, ideal for younger learners or larger groups wanting a structured circuit around major animal complexes.
• Zoo-to-You Outreach: For schools unable to travel, zoo educators can bring live animal ambassadors (reptiles, birds, insects, small mammals) directly to your school for an interactive presentation.
• Zoo Snooze Camps: Overnight camping experiences featuring night walks, bonfire storytelling, and early-morning animal feedings (ranging from R216 to R277 per learner depending on group size).

Essential Rules & Planning Advice for Educators

• Chaperone Supervision: Maintain a structured chaperone-to-student ratio throughout the visit. Teachers and adult supervisors are responsible for managing student behavior.
• Attire & Protection: Ensure learners wear comfortable walking shoes, sun hats, and sunscreen, as the zoo covers substantial walking distances.
• Hydration & Meals: Bring packed lunches and refillable water bottles. On-site kiosks are available, but pre-packed lunches save time and prevent delays.
• Park Ethics: Remind learners not to feed the animals, climb safety barriers, tap on glass enclosures, or leave litter behind.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the current school group entrance fee at Johannesburg Zoo?

The weekday school group entry fee is R52 per learner and teacher. This discounted rate applies to official school groups visiting Monday through Friday.

2. Do accompanying teachers pay full price?

No, teachers and educators visiting as part of an official, pre-booked school trip pay the same discounted R52 per person group rate as the learners on weekdays.

3. Is advance booking mandatory for the school rate?

Yes. School group bookings must be submitted at least one week in advance with the JCPZ Education Department. Unbooked groups arriving at the gate may be charged standard entry fees.

4. How much is bus parking for school groups?

Parking for buses (ranging from 30 to 120 seaters) costs R34 per bus.

5. Are educational worksheets provided for school trips?

Yes. When you complete a school booking, the zoo’s Education Department provides a master copy of an educational worksheet that teachers can duplicate for their students.

6. Can school groups bring their own food and drinks?

Yes, school groups are permitted to bring packed lunches, snacks, and water bottles. Groups can utilize the zoo’s extensive lawns and shaded picnic grounds during lunch breaks.

7. What extra guided tour options are available for school trips?

Schools can add guided options such as the School Day Tour (R104 flat rate), School Evening Tour (R147 flat rate), or book a Ferry Tour for guided transport around the main animal exhibits.